Portsmouth Police wrapped up yet another chapter in a very long-running saga when they found a man passed out inside a red pickup truck with Kentucky plates at 7th and Lincoln Streets around 3:35 a.m.
Officers quickly discovered the driver had an outstanding warrant. They took him into custody and called for a tow truck to haul the vehicle to the impound lot.
The man behind the wheel? Jeffery Sowards — a name police have been writing in reports for nearly three decades.
And if you think that’s an exaggeration, buckle up.
A 30-Year Timeline of “Driving While Shouldn’t Be”
1997:
- Arrested for DUI and driving without a license.
The saga begins.
2005:
- Convicted of driving under suspension and failure to report a crash.
2009:
- Convicted again — driving under suspension and OVI.
2017:
- Another conviction for driving under suspension.
2021:
- February: Arrested for driving under suspension.
- April: Arrested again — this time with an added OVI charge.
- Pleaded no contest and received a partially suspended jail sentence and probation.
2022:
- Arrested yet again for driving under suspension.
2023:
- Picked up for driving under suspension, expired plates, and fictitious plates.
- Failed to appear in court.
July 2025:
- Arrested for driving under suspension, expired plates, and fictitious plates once more.
- Pleaded no contest in municipal court, received a suspended fine, was ordered to pay costs, and released.
Now — November 2025:
- Found passed out in a truck at 7th & Lincoln.
- Arrested on a warrant for failure to appear — again.
Officers Step In — Again
Police arrested Sowards and transported him to the Scioto County Jail. His vehicle was towed, and a report was taken — a familiar routine for a man whose driving record reads like a rerun.
Community Reminder
Driving under suspension isn’t just illegal — it’s dangerous, expensive, and obviously not worth the years of trouble.
If you or someone you know is struggling to stay compliant with driving laws:
- Check your license status regularly.
- Resolve unpaid fines or court costs ASAP.
- Avoid driving until fully reinstated.
- Call the BMV for a reinstatement plan.
Thirty years of repeated arrests is a lesson no one should be trying to learn the hard way.
